Relates to proceedings with respect to designating and nominating petitions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Carroll and 5 co-sponsors

A158 would reform petition designation and nomination rules - altering filing, signatures, deadlines, and verification to affect candidates, parties, and election officials.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW

Overview

Bill Number: A 158

Title: Relates to proceedings with respect to designating and nominating petitions

Status: Referred to Election Law (Committee)

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Legislative actions: On January 8, 2025, the bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Election Law (listed twice in the provided actions)

Sponsors:

Primary: Robert C. Carroll
Cosponsors: Jonathan Jacobson, MaryJane Shimsky, Deborah Glick, Rebecca Seawright, Harvey Epstein

Purpose and intent (as suggested by the title)

The bill relates to the procedures and processes governing designating and nominating petitions. While the specific text is not provided here, the title indicates an aim to reform or modify how petitions used to designate or nominate candidates are executed, validated, and acted upon within the election law framework.

Key provisions and changes (note on text absence)

The exact provisions are not included in the information provided. Based on the title and common topics in this area, the bill could address one or more of the following:

Filing and circulation requirements for designating and nominating petitions
Signature thresholds and verification standards
Deadlines and windows for petition submission
Procedures for challenging petitions and resolving disputes
Certification and ballot-access implications for nominees
Roles and duties of election officials and designating/nominating committees

Specific changes, precise language, and any new penalties or exemptions would be determined by the bill’s text in the final version.

Who would be affected

Prospective candidates seeking designation or nomination for offices (state or local)

Political parties and party-designating committees

Independent or minor-party petitioning committees, if applicable

Voters who sign petitions

Elections officials and county/municipal boards of election responsible for processing petitions, verification, and certification

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Election Law on January 8, 2025

As a referral to Election Law, the bill will undergo committee review, hearings (if held), and potential amendments before moving to the floor for a vote

Related bills from prior sessions (A 8243, A 3328, A 634, A 713) suggest ongoing interest in refining nomination petition processes

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, changes could streamline, alter, or tighten how petitions are circulated, collected, verified, and certified as part of ballot access

Impacts would likely include candidates’ timelines for collecting signatures, eligibility challenges, and administrative workloads for election officials

The scope and effect will depend on the final text, including any new thresholds, deadlines, or review procedures

Next steps for readers

Review the full bill text and any fiscal notes or analyses once published by the New York Assembly

Monitor updates from the Committee on Election Law for hearings, amendments, and voting timelines

Compare with related bills from prior sessions (A 8243, A 3328, A 634, A 713) to understand evolving policy approaches to petition designations and nominations

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further once the bill’s actual text becomes available.

Bill